Your Cup Runneth Over

I was discussing my work, kids, travel, life, etc. with a friend of mine the other day (Stephanie).  She doesn't have children, but she was remarking about all the things I do, and how I still had "perfect" (her words, not mine, as indicated by the quotes) my kids were.  I do, though, have pretty amazing kids.  I do not deserve them.   Anyhoooooo, she said, "You know, Michelle.  Your cup is full.  Therefore, you have more to pour into your children's lives."  Wow!  I never thought about things like that.  I mean sure, I give my kids alot of myself.  But as mompreneurs and dadpreneurs, employees, whatever the case, we sometimes get lost between trying to be great parents, and trying to be great at life (business, fitness, friendships, etc.).  Do we lose one to gain the other?  Can we be great at both?  Are we sacrificing our kids to pursue our own greatness?  C'mon.  I know I'm not the only one who has those (and other, even deeper) thoughts.  But Stephanie's words were comforting, and insightful, to say the least.  The more cultured, exposed and well-rounded we are, if we do it right, the more our kids will be as well.  I do alot with my kids.  But I also do alot without them.  So, how do we make sure they still get our seconds?  (Because "you know who" gets first. :)).  But seriously, you don’t have to lose yourself in your children. I hear so many parents say what they used to do or can’t do anymore because they have kids.  Agreed, life does change a bit, but you don’t have to lose you because you have them.  If you used to workout and you stopped because you had them, then you need to start working out again. Bring the kids into your crazy world of fitness. Take them with you, have them walk while you run, play basketball and football, or gymnastics with them.  Let them see you active.  If you travelled, when you can, travel with them.  But don’t stop traveling with your spouse, or your girls or guys trips.  Call them while you’re gone and show them the “locals.”  Have them talk to them.  Send them a book about the place you’re visiting.  Talk about it when you get back.  Have them write a paper on it, lol!  You get the idea.  You can pour all of your wonderful experiences into them.  And then, you have incredible, well-rounded kids, who are independent, yet still need you from age 0 to 100. Get it?  Here a couple tips you can use to help get you started:

1. Take a trip down memory lane. Remember the things you used to do that you loved, that fulfilled you.
2. Write them all down.
3. Pick one or two.  
4. Decide how you can begin to integrate these things back into your life, i.e. if it was hanging out with friends, maybe schedule a 1/mo lunch where you meet with someone.
5. Do it!

Ok, kids, it's time to get your lives back!  Your kids will thank you, but probably not until you're like eighty.  But, thanks is thanks!  Share below how you're moving forward on this.  Talk soon!